Students had their paintbrushes and rollers at the ready last week to give the offices of a Mansfield-based charity a make-over.

The group of 17 male and female students on the painting and decorating level two construction diploma have transformed a family room, offices and toilets at Nottinghamshire Independent Domestic Abuse Services (NIDAS) – a charity which supports women and young people in the Mansfield area who are experiencing domestic abuse.

The students, who are based at the college’s Construction and Logistics Skills Academy in Kirkby, have put their creative skills to the test by painting and wallpapering, undercoating and glossing woodwork, as well as applying some decorative effects to the rooms, which includes a sunshine feature in the family room.

The sunshine was designed by Painting and Decorating Diploma Level 3 student, Anna Lodge, who has won first place in the painting and decorating senior category of the East Midlands regional SkillBuild competition.

All paint and equipment was supplied by Wickes, of Sutton, Jephsons, of Shirebrook, and Crown, of Mansfield, and the task took four days to complete at the NIDAS premises based on St John Street, Mansfield.

Lisa Haydon, director of service at NIDAS said: “I’m delighted with the work done by the students and it’s great that they’ve taken a personal interest in working on the decorating for this charity.

“They’ve worked very hard as a team and have been polite and professional in terms of working around our service users. The finished result is brilliant and it’s definitely brightened up our previously dated décor.”